5 Perfect Villains for The Batman 2 Who’ve Never Been in a Movie Yet

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The next Batman movie is highly anticipated and will continue the dark, crime-focused story started by director Matt Reeves. Unlike other DC films, this sequel, *The Batman Part II*, exists separately, allowing Reeves full creative control over his vision of Gotham City. After some changes to the production schedule, the film is now slated for release in 2027, and the script – written by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin – is already finished, promising to deliver a similar style and feel to the first film, which was both critically acclaimed and a box office hit.

Matt Reeves wants the next Batman movie to deeply explore Bruce Wayne’s (Robert Pattinson) personal growth, making it the heart of the story. Because of this focus on character, the villain needs to be someone who challenges Bruce Wayne not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Reeves has stated he’s chosen a villain who hasn’t been fully explored on film before, which suggests a compelling and psychologically complex opponent who can truly test the man behind the Batman mask.

5) Anarky

Lonnie Machin first appeared in *Detective Comics* #608, created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle. He’s a villain with a strong philosophical bent. A gifted child with a firm grasp of radical political ideas, Machin becomes the masked Anarky, fighting a solo battle against the corruption he sees in Gotham. Unlike many villains, he isn’t after money or power; he truly believes he’s freeing society from oppression, even if his methods are extreme. Unfortunately for Batman, Anarky sees him as part of the problem – a vigilante who simply maintains a flawed system.

Anarky would be a compelling villain in a Batman story, especially after the first film revealed Gotham’s deep-rooted corruption. He wouldn’t just be another criminal; he’d offer a radical, violent solution that would make Bruce Wayne seriously question his own methods. This creates a conflict focused more on ideas than fighting – something the first Batman movie did very well. Plus, his strong portrayal in the *Batman: Arkham Origins* video game proves he can be a powerful opponent who truly challenges Batman’s core beliefs and mission.

4) Prometheus

Prometheus, created by Grant Morrison and Arnie Jorgensen, shares a twisted origin story with Batman. Unlike Batman, who fights for justice, Prometheus was driven to destroy it after witnessing his criminal parents die in a police shootout. Like Bruce Wayne, he used his family’s wealth to travel the globe and physically and mentally train himself. He then returned to Gotham City, equipped with a dangerous helmet that lets him instantly learn fighting skills from others, making him a highly skilled combatant in the DC universe.

Prometheus is a villain who embodies a dark version of Batman. He shows what Bruce Wayne might have become if he’d prioritized revenge over justice, using his wealth and physical abilities for destruction. This creates a uniquely personal conflict for Batman, as Prometheus is his equal in intelligence and strength, but completely lacks a moral code. Though he’s appeared on the TV show *Arrow*, Prometheus hasn’t been featured in a Batman film yet, and his deliberate attack on the idea of heroism would be a frightening new challenge for the hero.

3) Hush

Dr. Thomas Elliot, known as Hush, is one of Batman’s most dangerous and personal foes. He first appeared in the famous *Batman: Hush* story created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee. Growing up as a friend of Bruce Wayne, Tommy Elliot became intensely jealous of him. Later, as a skilled surgeon, he became the bandaged villain Hush, and plotted a complex scheme to destroy Bruce Wayne’s life, targeting Bruce as a person, not just Batman. He used his close understanding of Bruce’s mind and connections with other criminals to carry out this plan.

Hush would be a great villain for a Batman sequel that explores Bruce Wayne’s backstory and inner world. His connection to Bruce provides a built-in way to reveal details about Bruce’s life before he became Batman. The *Hush* comic book is a complex mystery with a feeling of unease, which fits well with the style Matt Reeves has created for the films. Plus, his scary and calculating portrayal in the *Batman: Arkham* video games showed how effectively he can target Bruce Wayne personally, making him a truly dangerous foe.

2) Court of Owls

First appearing in 2011, created by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, the Court of Owls quickly became one of Batman’s most recognizable newer enemies. This secret group is made up of some of Gotham’s oldest and wealthiest families, and they’ve been secretly running the city for hundreds of years. Operating from hidden locations, they control Gotham’s politics and economy, using a deadly force of assassins called Talons – warriors who are nearly immortal thanks to cryogenic preservation – to enforce their power.

The Court of Owls presents a danger unlike any Batman has encountered before. His previous fight against crime feels small compared to a secret society deeply rooted in Gotham’s past. Facing the Court will force Batman to question everything he believes about his city, his family, and his mission, as he battles an enemy that’s both all around him and impossible to pinpoint. This acclaimed comic book story is a harsh test of Batman’s mind and body, pushing him to his limits, which makes the Court an ideal villain for a large-scale sequel.

1) Hugo Strange

Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in an early issue of *Detective Comics*, Hugo Strange is one of Batman’s oldest foes and a genius-level psychologist. Though brilliant, he lacks a moral compass and is fixated on Batman, determined to figure him out, reveal his true identity, and even take his place. Notably, Hugo Strange was the first villain to discover Bruce Wayne’s secret, and he uses this information to mentally attack Bruce, hoping to prove he’s the better mind.

Hugo Strange would be the perfect villain for a Batman sequel that delves into Bruce Wayne’s mental state. As a psychology expert, Strange is uniquely positioned to prey on Bruce’s past trauma and self-doubt, essentially turning his own mind against him. There’s plenty of existing material director Matt Reeves could draw from. The comic arc *Batman: Prey* features Strange masterfully manipulating the city to hunt Batman, painting him as a public enemy. Plus, his role as a cunning strategist in the *Batman: Arkham City* video game demonstrates his ability to be a serious threat to Bruce Wayne’s sense of self and his sanity.

The Batman – Part II is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, 2026.

If you could pick any comic book villain who hasn’t appeared in a movie yet to challenge Robert Pattinson’s Batman, who would it be? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-09-23 16:11